My early schooling greatly influenced who I have become. My classmates and I learned some of the most valuable lessons during that time. Our elementary school class grew up together and will always be bonded by that. Although in middle school many of us grew apart, the bond was still deep down. Even in our senior year of high school, we split up into teams based on who went to what elementary school and played a huge softball tournament. In my city, we have 15 elementary schools so from the minute you step into one of them, you become loyal to it, making it your circle so you do not get lost in our huge city. Franklin was the school my loyalty belonged to.
Franklin Elementary School is a place I will cherish forever because of all the lessons I learned and memories I made. Looking back, I can honestly say that I was happy to go to school and even looked forward to it. Not everyone feels this way. My elementary school was filled with great kids, and some of the most caring adults I have ever met in my life. Franklin taught me all the basics like reading, writing, social skills, and definitely prepared me for middle school. For instance, I remember learning numbers in 1st grade, cursive in 3rd grade, and doing science experiments in 4th grade. Those are academics memories that I will never forget simply because it was the beginning of me becoming the student I am today. We also had fun at Franklin. One day a year we had Color Day, where we split up our grade between three colors and were outside all day on the field doing little competitions against each other. Somewhere between hacky sack and team obstacles, our class learned team unity, sportsmanship, and leadership, which are lessons we would use for years to come.
One teacher in particular that influenced me was my 4th grade teacher Mr. Turner. He always pushed me to excel academically and would not accept any cop out from me. Mr. Turner knew my weaknesses and would work with me on how I could get better. Every day our class would have silent reading time, but I had trouble sitting and reading a book. He would take me in the back of the room and read to me quietly, and then I would read to him. It meant the world to me that he took time to do this. He was also the first teacher who pushed me in math. He saw my skill and decided to test it daily by giving me a bonus problem. I would sit with him and work at it until I got it correct. Mr. Turner taught me to persevere through my weaknesses and to strive for excellence, especially at math. As I am writing this, I am wondering if this subconsciously was my first step in wanting to become a math teacher.
While learning was a priority in middle school, and I grew as a student a great deal, what I took from middle school was mainly harder life lessons. It was during 7th and 8th grade at F.A. Day Middle School that I had to learn some of the most difficult lessons. Looking back, I can confidently say I would not have gotten through those lessons and would not be where I am today if it was for Mr. O’Connor, my seventh grade history teacher. When meeting him, I didn’t know I would be meeting one of the most impactful men in my life. From day one, he understood me like no one had before. When I was at a loss for words after losing each of the three family members I lost during middle school, he sat with me even when I told him to leave me alone. When I started hanging with the “wrong crowd” and began getting into trouble, he refused to accept it. He would make me stay with him after school and do my homework with him watching me. On the note of homework, he never let me give less than 110% on my academics. At the time, I pushed him away with all the force I could, but he never let me. In 8th grade when my 21-year-old brother abandoned our family without saying goodbye, I hit rock bottom. But he was there. He was exactly what I needed when I needed it. Because of the support that Mr. O’Connor gave me in middle school I was able to go into high school determined and ready to work. Mr. O’Connor is still in my life today always checking in with me to make sure I am giving my full effort in everything I do.
Elementary and middle school had such an impact on me as it gave me the basic building blocks that allowed me to grow into the person I am today. It sounds cliché but I think that is the case for many kids. The basic academic and athletic skills I learned when I was younger is why I believe that being well-rounded is the best way to go in life. The lessons I learned in middle school have made me the confident, strong woman I am today. At least for me, if you look into my early schooling, you get a better understanding of how my morals and values were shaped.
My early schooling greatly influenced who I have become. My classmates and I learned some of the most valuable lessons during that time. Our elementary school class grew up together and will always be bonded by that. Although in middle school many of us grew apart, the bond was still deep down. Even in our senior year of high school, we split up into teams based on who went to what elementary school and played a huge softball tournament. In my city, we have 15 elementary schools so from the minute you step into one of them, you become loyal to it, making it your circle so you do not get lost in our huge city. Franklin was the school my loyalty belonged to.
Franklin Elementary School is a place I will cherish forever because of all the lessons I learned and memories I made. Looking back, I can honestly say that I was happy to go to school and even looked forward to it. Not everyone feels this way. My elementary school was filled with great kids, and some of the most caring adults I have ever met in my life. Franklin taught me all the basics like reading, writing, social skills, and definitely prepared me for middle school. For instance, I remember learning numbers in 1st grade, cursive in 3rd grade, and doing science experiments in 4th grade. Those are academics memories that I will never forget simply because it was the beginning of me becoming the student I am today. We also had fun at Franklin. One day a year we had Color Day, where we split up our grade between three colors and were outside all day on the field doing little competitions against each other. Somewhere between hacky sack and team obstacles, our class learned team unity, sportsmanship, and leadership, which are lessons we would use for years to come.
One teacher in particular that influenced me was my 4th grade teacher Mr. Turner. He always pushed me to excel academically and would not accept any cop out from me. Mr. Turner knew my weaknesses and would work with me on how I could get better. Every day our class would have silent reading time, but I had trouble sitting and reading a book. He would take me in the back of the room and read to me quietly, and then I would read to him. It meant the world to me that he took time to do this. He was also the first teacher who pushed me in math. He saw my skill and decided to test it daily by giving me a bonus problem. I would sit with him and work at it until I got it correct. Mr. Turner taught me to persevere through my weaknesses and to strive for excellence, especially at math. As I am writing this, I am wondering if this subconsciously was my first step in wanting to become a math teacher.
While learning was a priority in middle school, and I grew as a student a great deal, what I took from middle school was mainly harder life lessons. It was during 7th and 8th grade at F.A. Day Middle School that I had to learn some of the most difficult lessons. Looking back, I can confidently say I would not have gotten through those lessons and would not be where I am today if it was for Mr. O’Connor, my seventh grade history teacher. When meeting him, I didn’t know I would be meeting one of the most impactful men in my life. From day one, he understood me like no one had before. When I was at a loss for words after losing each of the three family members I lost during middle school, he sat with me even when I told him to leave me alone. When I started hanging with the “wrong crowd” and began getting into trouble, he refused to accept it. He would make me stay with him after school and do my homework with him watching me. On the note of homework, he never let me give less than 110% on my academics. At the time, I pushed him away with all the force I could, but he never let me. In 8th grade when my 21-year-old brother abandoned our family without saying goodbye, I hit rock bottom. But he was there. He was exactly what I needed when I needed it. Because of the support that Mr. O’Connor gave me in middle school I was able to go into high school determined and ready to work. Mr. O’Connor is still in my life today always checking in with me to make sure I am giving my full effort in everything I do.
Elementary and middle school had such an impact on me as it gave me the basic building blocks that allowed me to grow into the person I am today. It sounds cliché but I think that is the case for many kids. The basic academic and athletic skills I learned when I was younger is why I believe that being well-rounded is the best way to go in life. The lessons I learned in middle school have made me the confident, strong woman I am today. At least for me, if you look into my early schooling, you get a better understanding of how my morals and values were shaped.